Definition

The study of ideas, behaviors, and styles that spread from person to person within a culture, similar to how genes transmit biological information.

Example

Memetics explores how cultural information spreads and evolves over time.

Conversation

Have you heard about memetics?

Yeah, it's pretty interesting how memes spread culture.

I read that it explores how ideas can evolve like genes.

Exactly! It's fascinating to see how they influence society.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Memetics is formed from "meme" (coined by Richard Dawkins in his book 'The Selfish Gene', derived from the Greek word 'mimeme', meaning that which is imitated) and the suffix "-ics" (meaning a field of study or science). The term refers to the study of how ideas, behaviors, and cultural phenomena spread and evolve, similar to the way genes propagate in biological evolution.

Memory Tip

Think of 'meme' as something that is 'imitated' and '-ics' as a field of study. This helps you remember that memetics is the study of how ideas and cultural elements spread and evolve.

Visually Confused Words